Springfield hands Anchormen, 11-1 setback

Tuesday

Apr 22, 2014 at 7:36 AM

Providence, R.I.-Junior left fielder Tyler Santaniello (Cumberland, RI) went 2-for-3, but Rhode Island College fell to Springfield, 11-1, in collegiate baseball action played at Anchorman Field on Monday afternoon.

By RIC Athletics

Providence, R.I.-Junior left fielder Tyler Santaniello (Cumberland, RI) went 2-for-3, but Rhode Island College fell to Springfield, 11-1, in collegiate baseball action played at Anchorman Field on Monday afternoon.

The Pride (17-11) scored twice in their first at-bat as sophomore first baseman Billy Peterson (Wareham, MA) got things going with a one-out RBI double to left field. Peterson then scored with two down on an RBI double by senior catcher Sean Smith (Broken Arrow, OK).

The visitors did some more damage in the top of the fourth as an error with two outs kept Springfield at bat. Sophomore right fielder Corey Wilcox (Montville, CT) plated one with an RBI double and senior left fielder Jared Hopkins (Cranston, RI) increased the margin to a 5-0 advantage with a two-run double to center field.

Springfield put the game out of reach with four runs in the fifth, fueled by two RIC miscues. Junior second baseman Shane O’Leary (Kings Park, NY) brought one across with an RBI single to third base, while Wilcox stayed hot with a two-run single that went up the middle.

O’Leary smacked a two-run homer in the seventh to increase SC’s lead to 11-0.

The Anchormen (11-16) finally cracked the scoring column in the bottom of the seventh as sophomore catcher Matt Billington (Cumberland, RI) singled and moved to third on freshman third baseman Scott Linnane’s (North Kingstown, RI) double. Sophomore shortstop Mario Albunia (Jersey City, NJ) then plated Billington with a sacrifice fly to left field to make the score 11-1.

Freshman pitcher Jake Roy (Seekonk, MA) took the loss (1-1) for the Anchormen. Senior reliever Eric Chase (Vernon, CT) picked up the win (3-2), allowing one run on four hits in three innings of work. Senior starter Alex Williams (East Hartford, CT) threw four innings, allowing just four hits.

O’Leary carried the Pride’s offense, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, three RBI and a homer. Wilcox went 2-for-5 with a run scored, three RBI and a double.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play at UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, April 22 (3:30 p.m.).